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Report: Former Islander LaFontaine Sought to Buy Team

Hall of Famer looking to keep team in Nassau County.

While there might not be any hockey being played yet this season due to a lockout, the New York Islanders are still making headlines.

The New York Post reported Monday that Hall of Famer Pat LaFontaine has been contacted by multiple European investors about not only buying the struggling franchise, but keeping the team on Long Island.

LaFontaine, who starred for the Islanders for eight seasons and is in the top six in goals and points in team history, is intrigued by the opportunity and may look to put together some sort of bid, sources said.

However, according to the Post, current owner Charles Wang is looking to sell the team for a steep $300 million.

At $149 million, Forbes currently has the Islanders valued 29th out of 30 teams in the National Hockey League.

Wang purchased the franchise in 2000 for $130 million, a decision he told Newsday [paid link] he regretted back in 2009.

"If I had the chance," Wang said, "I wouldn't do it again."

LaFontaine, who lives on the north shore of Long Island, would look to keep the team in Nassau, according to the Post. However, an arena would be necessary for the 47-year-old to pull off such a feat.

The lease on the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum is set to expire in 2015. Nassau County residents voiced their displeasure at the polls back in August 2011, as they voted down a referendum that would allow for a new arena to be built for the Islanders.

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ssmsmom May 21, 2013 at 03:38 pm
My daughter just told me that Principal McGinn went back on the loudspeaker today to tell theRead More students it was their citizens duty to vote today. She also told them that she is in favor of skirts and ties as school uniforms.
common sense May 21, 2013 at 04:28 pm
been there needs to chill out. if you are not in favor of the budget vote no. but stop the personalRead More attacks. the ranking fell because students who were not previously included in the calculations were included this year. as a diverse community, the inclusion of those kids negatively impacted the ranking. that's a fact. should the now incorrect refenece to a prior ranking be removed from mailings? yes. but in what world does some subjective ranking determine your vote?
beentheredonethat May 21, 2013 at 12:45 pm
My data is factual it came from the NYS Report Card. You can check it out yourself.
RVCLongIslander May 21, 2013 at 12:27 pm
Since the Middle Years IB program is in direct correlation to the Common Core Curriculum, which NYSRead More has adopted for all NYS public school students, and the new NYS ELA exams are based on the Common Core Curriculum as well, it would seem that the Middle Years IB program would HELP the MS students, assuming your data is factual. Glad you pointed that out!
common sense May 21, 2013 at 04:48 pm
PTA is extreme? Are you serious? Extreme how? In advocating for what they think is best? How is it'sRead More advocacy any different than what I have read here? If anyone thinks voting for the CPA is best for the RVC public school system , both long and short term, they should do that. However, besmirching the reputations of those who think otherwise says all one needs to know about where you are coming from. Attacking the MS principal about some sort of civics lesson? Unless you were there, how do you know? Because 6th grader told you? Come on!! And if you really think that voting for the CPA will alleviate the intractable mandated budget issues this school district faces then you are truly clueless. What would you say if we had a proposal of a 22% increase like Manhasset, requiring a 60% super majority to pass? What would you say about the campaign that would be necessary to get that type of increase thru assuming people wanted it? I have read what you have had to say these past few days. I question whether you have really been anywhere or done anything. Now get out.
ssmsmom May 21, 2013 at 03:30 pm
My daughter just told me the Ms. McGinn got back on the loudspeaker today and told the children thatRead More it was basically their civic duty to vote today and that she is leaning towards children wearing skirts and ties. Don't tell me she isn't playing them. Its disgusting. Yes the kids vote every year but REALLY do you think the issue of school uniforms this year is appropriate?
beentheredonethat May 21, 2013 at 02:58 pm
Well put Nora. PTA advocacy is not only extreme but it appears misguided. I got another email blastRead More today from high school PTA and again they used last years rankings. It seems they are more intent on explaining the districts shortfalls than actually advocating for their children. The same goes for this business with McGinn. No one can honestly say that insinuating that school uniforms are on the horizon is a lesson in ones duties as a citizen to vote. Yet PTA members try their best to defend. It seems as an organization their mission has been muddled. When parents can't air their concerns without feat of retaliation we are living in a toxic environment.
dpf May 17, 2013 at 10:27 pm
And many of them will leave because the job pays next to nothing. Proctoring will be turned into aRead More complete nightmare
nora maresca May 16, 2013 at 09:13 pm
Many companies and municipalities are doing the same, as was predicted when the ACA was debated.Read More Logical business decision.
Janet Shainis Cisario May 20, 2013 at 04:09 pm
Well been there, I haven't explained anything about AP, I told you I don't know. I also did not sayRead More I think that our SAT's are not good, only that you cannot compare them to Jerichos. I said that our kids scores are obviously more than good enough to get them into great schools year after year and have them be successful in college and beyond, and that you should not get caught up in the statistic. I also have not said I think we are a rich district, the state treats us as such along with much of LI....I thought I made clear that I disagree with them. I am not trying to explain away anything, I think the actual facts of our schools' success tell the story.
RVCLongIslander May 20, 2013 at 01:40 pm
Janet, you really seem to know so much about how the district operates, and not just this year, butRead More also the history of decisions made by past Boards. Thank you for presenting facts clearly and intelligently, without sarcasm and threats, and with true knowledge. Kudos to you!!
beentheredonethat May 20, 2013 at 01:17 pm
Problem is Janet you can't have it both ways. When you want to explain away our poor showing on APRead More and SAT, you look to demographics and state that parents in Jericho spend so much more privately on their children. When you want to explain the budget mess you look to the state and say that we are being penalized for being a wealthy district.
Fred Stapleman May 17, 2013 at 10:44 am
Hey Matt Hogan, While I don't buy into posts that you are Johnson's press secretary and him havingRead More a hand in running this publication, I do believe myself and many other readers here would appreciate an in depth, unbiased and objective interview w/ him asking the tuff questions your readers asked here. He always seems available to comment on and inflate the slightest bit of positive news, perhaps he would like the opportunity to comment on and explain his take on the latest rankings, etc. Have you or any member of your staff ever directly interviewed him or requested and interview w/ him and would you consider requesting such an interview?
Fred Stapleman May 17, 2013 at 09:57 am
It is nothing short of amazing that people are still rushing to the defense of Johnson/Burris andRead More their minions at the PTA. What's wrong w/ you people? When the rankings come out positive they do everything they can to publicise them from plaques on the wall to streaming video on the district website and everything in between. Yet not a peep on the latest rankings. 500+ ranking in NYS, people thats based solely on test scores not the # of kids taking the test and how many free lunches the district provides. Do any of you wonder at all why Johnson encouraged kids to "opt out" of NYS testing? If so let me help you out...The scores are going to be awful and would have been worse had all the kids participated. The quality of life in this town and its education system is circling the bowl, we need positive change not the same old go along to get along mentality. Pls think about voting for Ms Rubino, we need some balance and accountability on that board not a bunch of Johnson puppets. Not sure when Johnson's contract is up but he too has got to go, he is slowly destroying this district. We might try to hire Baldwin's superintendant as he really seems to know what he is doing when it comes to AP.
mb May 15, 2013 at 03:33 pm
This is the funniest blog post ever. Someone thinks Patch is run by Johnson, another should haveRead More used the more appropriate pseudonym "know it all" and the most recent thinks the PTA is ruining our neighborhood. Go to a meeting, get involved, educate yourself. If you can't go to a meeting watch the local government and school channel. Then perhaps you would know that the bulk of the school budget is dictated by NY state.